THE THERMAL BATHS OF AX LES THERMES

Ax les Thermes the home of Ax 3 Domaines ski area is an ancient commune of - at the last count - 1363 inhabitants. The commune is served by about sixty sulphurous hot springs which range in temperature from a swimming pool-like 25 degrees to a very hot bath-like 78 degrees Celsius. They have been ingeniously used by the commune for all sorts of purposes including the heating of roads and pavements to prevent ice forming and the heating of municipal buildings. 

The sulphurous hot water is believed to have medicinal qualities, with patients from all over the country being prescribed long stays at the commune's highly acclaimed thermal spa hospital. Here the waters are used to treat rheumatism, skin diseases and other maladies including asthma.

The use of the springs dates at least from the medieval period when the Bassin des Ladres (Lepers' Pond) was created in 1260 to treat soldiers returning from the Crusades suffering from leprosy. The Bassin des Ladres is still in the town centre today and people can be found soaking their feet in the evening, usually suffering from tired feet rather than leprosy! Just a metre or two away stands the original hospital built to treat patients by using the waters. 

During the 19th century Ax les Thermes became known as a spa destination and the tourism industry began to develop. In essence what Ax les Thermes has become therefore is a spa town with direct access to the ski area using the central telecabine. There are very few ski resorts can boast this!

When booking a ski holiday I usually look for somewhere with a hot tub, sauna or steam room so there is somewhere to relax and get warm after a day on the slopes. Well in Ax les Thermes you have a lot more than the usual jacuzzi!

In the centre of town you will find the Bains du Couloubret, reopened after remodelling and modernising in 2009. The Bains du Couloubret is a large public thermal pool complex which has been designed in a style reminiscent of Ancient Rome. There are a number of different pools both inside and outside, with stunning mountain views from the outside pools. The pools have different styles, different heats, a variety of jets, bubble benches and a lazy river. Inside there are steam rooms, a sauna, a cold plunge pool and a hot plunge amongst the attractions. The baths are very popular but there is a maximum entrance capacity permitted to prevent the pools from becoming over crowded.

With the bonus of the water being renowned for its health benefits, treating yourself to a relaxing hour or two in the spa may do you the world of good.

The Ax Trois Domaine ski resort clearly understands the draw of this very unusual apres ski opportunity and offers inclusive deals on lift passes to cover both the ski pass and entrance to the baths. 

There is free access to the water in the town centre too, the commune have has provided pools of natural hot spring water where people can be found in the evening soaking their tired feet.